Steve Elkington tees off at the 2011 PGA Championship, one of his last competitive events. Elkington turned 50 in December and is expected to play in the Dick's Sporting Goods Open in August.

Written by

Kevin Stevens

Time was when Steve Elkington did not embrace the notion of play-for-pay golf on the 50-and-over circuit.

"I was telling people 10 years ago, if you ever see me on the Champions Tour, just shoot me," said Elkington, 50-year-old Aussie in his first season on the Champions Tour. "Of course as you get closer to 50, you're like 'Hey, wait a second. This thing looks pretty sweet.'

"You don't have to play every week, you make money every time you go out, all that kind of thing." ...